All posts by: Dinah Winnick


Tanyka M. Barber smiles for a professional headshot, wearing a yellow shirt and black blazer, outdoors, in front of a larger glass and brick building

UMBC welcomes Tanyka M. Barber as vice president for institutional equity and chief diversity officer

“Being a Maryland native, I was familiar with UMBC and its stellar academic and research reputation, and as I progressed through the hiring process, the genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion was evident,” says Tanyka M. Barber. “That is what confirmed for me that this was a place I wanted to be.” Continue Reading UMBC welcomes Tanyka M. Barber as vice president for institutional equity and chief diversity officer

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UMBC chemical engineering students win ChemE Jeopardy national championship

UMBC is again a national champion, now in ChemE Jeopardy. A UMBC student team of chemical engineering majors emerged victorious last weekend at the national competition in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), besting fellow finalists University of Iowa and University of Southern California.

UMBC is again a national champion, now in Chemical Engineering Jeopardy. A UMBC student team of chemical engineering majors emerged victorious last weekend at the national competition in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). “This was my first time attending the national competition,” says team member Catherine Wraback ’23, president of the UMBC chapter of AIChE. “Walking into the room…was an unparalleled feeling.” Continue Reading UMBC chemical engineering students win ChemE Jeopardy national championship

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UMBC is a 2022 Great College to Work For—the nation’s only R1 university to excel in every category

This week, ModernThink’s Great Colleges to Work For program again recognized UMBC as a top institution nationwide in every measured category, from well-being and shared governance to mission and pride. UMBC is the only R1 university in the nation to achieve this honor, which is based on employee ratings. Continue Reading UMBC is a 2022 Great College to Work For—the nation’s only R1 university to excel in every category

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UMBC’s new AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows focus on STEM workforce inclusion, youth justice

UMBC faculty Erin Lavik and Erika Fountain will serve as 2022-23 Science and Technology Policy Fellows with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), in the prestigious program’s 50th class. They will work to inform actionable, science-based policies in federal government. Continue Reading UMBC’s new AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows focus on STEM workforce inclusion, youth justice

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UMBC’s Anupam Joshi, cybersecurity innovator, to expand leadership impact as 2022–23 ACE Fellow

Anupam Joshi, a professor focused on both high-impact computing research and expanding access to computer science and cybersecurity education, has been named a 2022-23 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow. He will spend the coming academic year with University System of Maryland (USM) leaders. Continue Reading UMBC’s Anupam Joshi, cybersecurity innovator, to expand leadership impact as 2022–23 ACE Fellow

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UMBC celebrates transfer of Spring Grove Hospital site to support long-term university growth

Governor Larry Hogan visited UMBC today for a ceremony marking the transfer of the Spring Grove Hospital Center campus to UMBC to support the university’s long-term development. “UMBC is a model for undergraduate education, inclusive talent development, and innovation,” he said. “I’m very excited that its footprint will now be able to grow even further into the future.” Continue Reading UMBC celebrates transfer of Spring Grove Hospital site to support long-term university growth

Valerie Sheares Ashby named next president of UMBC, arriving from Duke in August 2022

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents has appointed Valerie Sheares Ashby as the next president of UMBC. She will become UMBC’s sixth chief executive on August 1, 2022, following current UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski’s retirement from UMBC. She will be the first woman to serve in this role. Continue Reading Valerie Sheares Ashby named next president of UMBC, arriving from Duke in August 2022

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UMBC ascends to the nation’s highest level as a research university

UMBC has officially reached the nation’s highest level of research performance. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education today announced that UMBC has been placed into the category of doctoral universities with very high research activity, popularly known as Research 1 (or R1). “This is an amazing accomplishment by faculty, staff, and administrative leaders who have built a research culture that nurtures undergraduate and graduate students,” says President Freeman Hrabowski. “This milestone reflects our commitment to excellence across the disciplines, from the humanities to the sciences.” Continue Reading UMBC ascends to the nation’s highest level as a research university

Student works in a lab, wearing a face mask and protective globes and coat.

UMBC to launch prestigious Beckman Scholars Program for aspiring M.D./Ph.D.s

“The Beckman Scholars Program at UMBC will serve as a springboard for students from all backgrounds to launch themselves into successful careers as physician scientists. And as Beckman Scholars, they will be surrounded by a community that enables them to explore, challenge themselves, and, yes, sometimes fail—all while feeling supported,” says Dean Bill LaCourse.  Continue Reading UMBC to launch prestigious Beckman Scholars Program for aspiring M.D./Ph.D.s

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Hero of the Year: TIME honors UMBC alum Kizzmekia Corbett, COVID-19 vaccine leader

TIME magazine’s famed Person of the Year issue today announced Kizzmekia Corbett as a Hero of the Year for her leadership in developing the COVID-19 vaccine. “Vaccines have the potential to be the equalizer of health disparities, especially around infectious diseases,” Corbett has said. Continue Reading Hero of the Year: TIME honors UMBC alum Kizzmekia Corbett, COVID-19 vaccine leader

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